Verizon Wireless is unveiling a ringback tone service initially to its
customers in Sacramento and Southern California. Content for the Ringback Tones
service is being fueled by newly expanded relationships with Warner Music Group
and Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
The Ringback Tones service enables customers to personalize the sounds
callers hear when they are waiting for a call to be answered. Ringback Tones can
be customized based on the Caller ID, Group List or time of day, Verizon
Wireless says.
Verizon Wireless is offering a catalog of more than 2,200 songs, including
everything from RAP hip hop to classic rock to holiday songs. The song catalog
is stocked with real music clips from Warner Music Group and Sony BMG Music
Group artists.
Ringback Tones can be had for $1.99 each, plus a monthly fee of 99 cents.
Ringback Tones offer subscribers unlimited use for a 1-year period. Verizon
expects to expand the offering over its nationwide network by mid-2005.
In October, Lucent Technologies introduced its MiRingBack application, which
enables subscribers to create caller profiles and enables them to assign
different tones to different callers.
While Lucent has said the application is an ideal way for teenagers to
express their individuality, it also believes the application has potential in
the business world -- giving businesses the ability to convey their corporate
message. Telecom New Zealand was the first carrier to launch Lucent's
MiRingBack.